DRUM SIZES AND CAPACITY

Some washing machines have larger drums than others, but what size do you need? This section of our buyers guide helps explain what drum capacity really means, and whether a large or small machine is right for you.

WHAT IS THE DRUM CAPACITY?

A washing machine’s drum capacity is the weight of dry clothing you can safely wash in one cycle. This is usually a bit less than the amount you could physically fit into the drum.

Most machines range in size from 6 kg to 12 kg. It’s recommended to buy a drum size you won’t struggle to fill.

WHAT SIZE DO I NEED?

When choosing a drum size, take into account your washing habits and needs. How large is your household? How many washes a week do you typically do? What types of fabric and clothing do you wash?

In most cases, a 7-8 kg drum will comfortably serve a medium-sized household in the UK. Machines in this size category will have enough space for standard washes, and include programmes tailored for smaller loads too.

If you have a larger household that does several washes a week, with large or heavily soiled loads, a bigger drum capacity may suit you better. Equally, if you are a smaller family who only do a few washes, a smaller capacity might be more suitable.

HOW MUCH CAN I WASH AT ONCE?

The exact amount you can fit into the machine will vary depending on the style and fabric of your clothes. However, as a general rule, a standard 7 kg machine can wash 35 cotton t-shirts or a double duvet in a single load.

An 8 kg machine can wash 40 t-shirts, a 10 kg machine 50 t-shirts, and a 12 kg machine 60 t-shirts. For larger households or those who want to wash bigger duvets, larger capacity washing machines can be really useful.

Most machines range in size from 6 kg to 12 kg. It’s recommended to buy a drum size you won’t struggle to fill.

IS A BIGGER CAPACITY BETTER?

Many people assume that getting the biggest and often most expensive washing machine will give them a better cleaning performance and value for money. Larger capacity machines do have advantages, but there are negatives too.

The main advantage is that a larger capacity machine can hold more items, so you can clean the same amount of clothing in fewer washes than with a smaller model. Fewer but larger washes are more economical and efficient than smaller washes, and can lower your water and electricity costs.

Larger capacity machines often include extra washing programmes for bulkier items such as duvets, towels or curtains.

However, larger machines are usually more expensive to buy due to the extra capacity and programmes. Plus, if you run half-full cycles, they can be more expensive to use as they require more water and electricity for each cycle.

Larger capacity machines often include extra washing programmes for bulkier items, such as duvets, towels or curtains.

COMMON LOADING ISSUES

OVERLOADING

It can be tempting to wash those last few items to save yourself running another load, but this can lead to performance issues.

If you overfill your drum, the items can clump and rotate together in one large ball. This stops the detergent from spreading evenly or getting rinsed out properly. Clumping also means clothes get very tangled and creased. They won’t have enough room to move around and wash away any dirt either.

As most people don’t weigh their laundry every time they use the washing machine, you can follow the general rule of only filling the drum 80% of the way up.

A drum’s maximum capacity usually only refers to the main cotton programme, so bear in mind that other cycles may only take smaller loads. Silks, delicates or woollens need smaller load sizes, so they don’t become damaged. This means you may not use the entire capacity on every wash.

UNDERLOADING

Underloading your machine wastes a lot of water and energy. This is because most machines are unlikely to sense the weight of the load, so they will use the same amount of water as a full load.

Having a smaller load can also cause issues with the detergent. Some detergents won’t work properly or will produce excessive foam if you don’t use the standard measurements.